Football: Iran, Iraq power into Asian Cup knockout phase

ABU DHABI: Iran sank Vietnam and Iraq beat Yemen as the neighbours and arch-rivals powered into the Asian Cup round of 16 on Saturday (Jan 12) ahead of their highly anticipated group decider next week. Sardar Azmoun struck both goals in Iran’s 2-0 win in Abu Dhabi, while teenager Mohanad Ali’s early solo strike kick-started Iraq’s 3-0 victory in Sharjah. Iran and Iraq will meet in Dubai on Wednesday to decide who tops Group D in a repeat of their combustible quarter-final of 2015, which Iraq won on penalties. Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football’s most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi. “It’s a pity our performance didn’t produce a couple more goals,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters. “But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals – I have to praise my players because I am very demanding.” Saman Ghoddos and Mehdi Taremi went close for Asia’s top-ranked team before Azmoun rose to head home a Ghoddos cross after 38 minutes. The Rubin Kazan forward lashed in his third goal of the tournament from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time to give Iran a record ninth successive first-round victory dating back to 2007. Co-favourites with South Korea to lift the Asian Cup, Iran crushed war-torn Yemen 5-0 in their opening Group D game. ‘A FINISHER’ They were indebted to goalkeeper Alireza Safar… [Read full story]